There may be maybe no extra well-known ski space in America than Aspen, Colorado—partly due, little question, to the avalanche of well-known people who ski there each winter. In December 2023 alone, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, Kaia Gerber, and Mariah Carey had been all seen out and about within the Rocky Mountain city. In the meantime, stroll by its snow-lined streets, and also you’ll be bombarded with luxurious shops from Bottega Veneta to Gucci to Ralph Lauren.

But well-known faces apart, Aspen’s lure lies means past its glitz and glamor. A former silver mining city whose wealthy historical past dates again to the Eighteen Eighties, it turned considered one of America’s first well-known ski areas with the founding of Aspen Snowboarding Firm in 1946. As leisure lovers and athletes flocked to the powdery slopes, a city wealthy in artwork, tradition, and culinary boomed round it.

Though Aspen is each an all-year city, as January trudges on, Vogue has compiled our favourite native haunts and buzzy hangouts for the season. Under, a winter information to the place to ski, keep, dine, and aprés in Aspen, Colorado.

The place to Ski

Aspen Mountain

Aspen Mountain serves as the guts of Aspen itself: within the Forties, the resort opened proper on the town, and folks may stroll from the retailers of Fundamental Road to the mountain’s base in minutes. 77 years later, not a lot has modified—on any given morning, folks nonetheless line up for breakfast on the iconic mid-mountain eatery Bonnie’s, simply as they did when it opened within the Sixties.

That’s to not say it’s fully steeped in nostalgia: this yr, Aspen added 153 extra acres to its skiable terrain because of the brand new high-speed quad Hero’s. (The identify is a nod to all of the individuals who introduced the mission to life, together with the late managing accomplice of Aspen Ski Firm Jim Crown.)

Aspen Highlands

Due to the Highlands Bowl— a 270-acre powder run that takes round 45 minutes to hike in case you’re into form—Aspen Highlands is a bucket record mountain for knowledgeable skiers in every single place. (The official Aspen-Snowmass web site recommends setting apart not less than three hours for the problem.) Likewise, the double-black diamond glades and chutes off of Highland’s Excessive Temerity elevate (definition: recklessly daring) is an Alpine adrenaline-seeker’s dream… though ought to solely be undertaken by these positive of their snowboarding talents.

Snowmass

Snowmass is the biggest ski resort within the Aspen space, with 3,332 skiable acres and 91 trails. (Its nickname? “Snowmassive.”) With that a lot room, there’s one thing for each degree of skier—from newbie to superior—making it significantly engaging to households and teams.

Buttermilk

A newbie’s mountain, Buttermilk is ideal for these studying to ski or trying to fine-tune their talent earlier than heading to the more difficult regional resorts. Nearly all of the runs are both inexperienced or blue, whereas the devoted ski faculty space The Hideout has a magic carpet elevate for youngsters as younger as two and a half. But because the host of the annual Winter X Video games, it’s additionally a hotspot for thrill seekers because of its world-renowned terrain parks.

The place to Keep

Initially a railroad depot, The Little Nell turned the epitome of Aspen luxurious when it reworked right into a five-star lodge in 1989. It’s stored that de facto title ever since—particularly throughout a latest inside refresh by famed inside designer Holly Hunt. For snowboarding lovers, there’s no higher location: sat proper on the base of Aspen Gondola, you’re a 30-second (high-quality, perhaps 45 in ski boots) stroll from the lifts. And even for these whose pursuits lean in direction of aprés, there’s lots to do: the Little Nell not too long ago opened a brand new spa that includes remedies from Dr. Barbara Sturm, whereas their Ajax Tavern is the proper spot to sip an Aperol spritz whereas watching folks fly down the slopes.

Based in 1899, Resort Jerome’s interiors evoke its historic position as a rugged mountain respite: the lounge is adorned with plaid curtains, a candled chandelier, and gentle leather-based couches, whereas cowhide chairs and Wild West-themed paintings adorn the visitor rooms. Within the winter, the Library bar turns into a haute hub of après-ski, pre-dinner exercise.

The ski-in, ski-out St. Regis describes its aesthetic as “fashionable mountain”—and certainly, its luxurious interiors embrace luxurious cream supplies like boucle, mohair, leather-based, wool, and velvet. For these on the lookout for a extra stress-free keep, guide a therapy at their RAKxa Wellness Spa, the primary and solely U.S. outpost of the Bangkok therapeutic retreat. Social extra your velocity? Go for an apres-ski live performance at The Snow Lodge, based mostly in its courtyard. Observe up with dinner at their restaurant of the identical identify.

This winter Aspen welcomed Mollie, a brand new boutique lodge on the sting of city. With its Japandi-style interiors (visitor rooms are appointed with Noguchi lamps, whereas shearling accent chairs dot the foyer) it presents an elegant, clear different to the basic chalet or mountain type. Better of all? Its meals and beverage program is led by the crew behind Demise & Co., that means its scorching toddy is without doubt one of the finest on the town.

The place to Eat

For sushi—and a scene—there’s nonetheless no higher place on the town than Matsuhisa, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant housed in a centuries-old Victorian residence. Order the black cod and rock shrimp tempura whereas seeing what celebrities you possibly can spot out of the nook of your eye.

Head to the vegan consolation meals café and its vivid, ethereal eating room for breakfast or lunch. The Superhero burrito is a must-order—particularly for these on the lookout for more healthy, but nonetheless filling, fare as they head out for a day on the slopes.

Meat and Cheese doesn’t settle for reservations, however don’t let a bit of wait deter you from eating on the beloved Aspen gem. Because the identify suggests, the menu focuses on native and sustainable raised meat and cheese, which adjustments with the seasons.

Tucked away in a chalet a few block away from Aspen Mountain is Casa Tua’s buzzy Colorado outpost. Whereas the highest flooring is reserved for personal members, the primary is open to the general public: make a reservation properly forward of time and revel in considered one of their recent pastas (the cacio e pepe and pappardelle are two of our favorites.)

Because of the variety of high-profile (and extremely glamorous) celebrities that flock to Aspen every winter, the mountain city typically will get billed as a ritzy, formal vacation spot. But, loads of Aspen eating places are literally of the laidback selection: White Home Tavern, which is legendary for his or her French dip and crispy rooster sandwich, practically at all times has a line out the door. Belief us, it’s well worth the wait.

For skiers, no go to to Aspen is full with out breakfast on the iconic Bonnie’s, the regionally owned, Sixties chalet recognized for his or her pancakes and apple strudel. Head up there on a bluebird day and revel in a freshly flipped stack outdoors on the deck (with a beneficiant pour of maple syrup.)

If it’s not too chilly, the deck at Betula—the place one can gaze out onto city or Aspen Mountain—is motive sufficient to make a reservation at this bonafide hotspot. But the mountain-meets-French-island delicacies (it’s the sister property to Bonito in St Barths) is definitely as scrumptious contained in the eating room as it’s out: begin off with considered one of their a number of crudos after which splurge on the bison ribeye steak.

Espresso at Felix Roasting Co. inside Resort Jerome can both be a pick-me-up or, properly, a scrumptious winter dessert: their signature hickory smoked s’mores latte comes topped with a roasted marshmallow end. Sip all of it in amongst maximalist interiors designed by Ken Fulk.

The place to Après Ski

The Snow Lodge—the Rocky Mountain sister to Montauk’s The Surf Lodge—is a relative newcomer to Aspen, first opening in 2019 on the base of Aspen Mountain after which transferring to the St. Regis in 2021. Nonetheless, it’s already cemented itself as a bonafide hotspot with its dynamic après-ski live performance collection, which repeatedly brings in buzzy DJs like Diplo and Carlita. Bundle up (most of the performances happen within the courtyard of the St. Regis) and guide a desk on the restaurant for some freshly-made pasta afterwards.

In case your Aspen ethos is to go large or go dwelling, properly, Cloud 9 is the place you go to realize that. The cabin, nestled mid-mountain on Aspen Highlands, is understood for its raucous champagne-shower lunches the place Veuve Clicquot is shot out of spray weapons whereas a DJ blasts and strobe lights flash. (Seated inside? You would possibly need to convey a change of garments.) Oh, the fondue isn’t half dangerous both.

There’s no extra basic après-ski spot in Aspen than Ajax Tavern, situated proper on the base of the Silver Queen Gondola. Put your skis on the rack, seize a desk on the patio with your pals, and order some Aperol spritzes and fries whilst you watch skiers zoom down the slopes.

Stomach Up, Aspen’s premiere 450-seat music venue, has been bringing big-name acts to Aspen since 2005 together with the Killers, John Legend, and Kacey Musgraves. (This New Yr’s, the Chainsmokers took the stage.) Their live shows often begin later within the night—doorways for an upcoming Bob Moses live performance, for instance, open at 8 p.m.—making Stomach Up the proper selection for an après-après-ski night time out.